Somalia Human Rights Commission, UNDP Agree to Strengthen Rights Protection

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s National Independent Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have agreed to strengthen cooperation aimed at improving the country’s human rights protection mechanisms and building the capacity of the national commission.

The agreement emerged from a meeting in Mogadishu between Commission Chairperson Dr Maryan Qasim and the new UNDP Somalia Representative, Christophoros Politis.

The discussions focused on practical ways to strengthen the commission’s institutional capacity and support its efforts to protect and promote human rights across Somalia.

The two sides also agreed on the importance of closer coordination between institutions working on human rights and governance, with a focus on developing joint programmes that can respond to human rights concerns affecting Somali communities.

The meeting was attended by the commission’s Director General, Mustafa Ahmed Mahmoud, and UNDP Governance Programme Manager Evariste Sibomana.

The outcome of the meeting is significant as Somalia continues to develop national institutions responsible for protecting human rights and promoting accountability.

Rather than relying solely on international mechanisms, strengthening the capacity of the national commission could enable Somali institutions to take a greater role in monitoring human rights, raising awareness and addressing rights-related concerns.

The planned cooperation with UNDP is also expected to support institutional development and improve coordination between national authorities and organisations working in the human rights sector.

For UNDP, cooperation with Somalia’s national human rights institution forms part of broader governance and institution-building efforts, while for the commission it provides an opportunity to strengthen its technical and operational capacity.

The two sides are expected to develop the areas of cooperation further through future discussions and joint initiatives.

The meeting therefore marks a step towards closer UNDP-commission cooperation, stronger institutional capacity and more coordinated efforts to protect human rights in Somalia.